Jorge Lourenço dos Santos

Criativa FM

July 11, 2004, in Santana do Ipanema, Brazil

Dos Santos, radio owner and host, was killed in Alagoas State in northeastern Brazil. An unidentified assailant shot dos Santos four times at about 7:30 p.m. outside his home in the town of Santana do Ipanema, 125 miles (200 kilometers) from Maceió, the capital of Alagoas. The journalist was taken to a local hospital but died shortly after arriving.

The 59-year-old dos Santos owned radio station Criativa FM, which was based in his home, and hosted a show in which he frequently criticized local politicians and businessmen. Local police have confirmed that the journalist had received death threats and had been the target of two attempted killings, according to the Maceió-based daily Gazeta de Alagoas.

According to the Folha news agency, police are investigating whether dos Santos' murder was politically motivated. In addition to his work at the radio station, dos Santos was involved in politics, having run for council in the nearby town of Major Isidoro in 1996 and 2000. His wife has also been involved in local politics. His family believes that local politicians hired the assassin, Gazeta de Alagoas reported.

Motive Unconfirmed: CPJ is investigating to determine whether the death was work-related.